At the June 5 Northampton Borough Council meeting, an icon of Northampton Borough was recognized and honored. In Councilman Kenneth Hall’s administration and finance committee report, he shared the Atlas Cement Company Memorial Museum received a $200 check from Nancy Kompass and Betty Shoemaker to honor the 89th birthday of museum curator Ed Pany.

Hall also noted that, during the month of May, guided tours were conducted in the museum for 392 fifth-grade students and teachers from the Siegfried, George Wolf, Lehigh and Moore elementary schools within the Northampton Area School District.

Pany resides in Northampton and is most well-known for his passion and dedication to preserving the history of the cement industry, particularly the Atlas Portland Cement Company. Pany is the founder and curator of the Atlas Cement Company Memorial Museum, which he created to honor the cement workers in the region. The cement company operated in Northampton for 87 years before closing in 1982.

After 38 years as a history teacher at Northampton High School, the school district leaders named a road in his honor in recognition of his contributions and service educating his students. Ed Pany Drive is located in front of Northampton Area Middle School.

Pany is a 1954 graduate of Northampton High School and returned to the classroom to teach American history. He retired in 1997 after helping educate about 7,000 students.

He also is a former member of Northampton Borough Council.

In other business, council passed resolution 7-25, authorizing a Livable Landscapes grant application that states the borough will provide a match of $100,000 cash and in-kind services. The resolution involves the borough, Northampton County and the commonwealth of Pennsylvania. This resolution corrects a previous resolution passed in March that noted the borough match would be $50,000.

Council approved the appointment of Danielle Ford to the office as the borough’s animal protection officer. Ford was interviewed by Brian Welsko, borough manager, and Jerry Serensits, assistant borough manager. She was thanked by all of council and the mayor for stepping forward to fill this role. Ford noted her grandmother occupied the Northampton animal control office many years ago.

Northampton Police Chief Bryan Kadingo received council approval for two police officers to attend a bicycle mechanic program provided by Volcanic Bicycle at Towamencin Township Police Department in Kulpsville. The program is set for July 28-31, at a cost of $950 per officer.

Kadingo also received approval to send one police officer to attend a level 1 certification course in Gracie Survival Tactics held at Stroudsburg High School. The course will be held July 14-18, at a cost of $1,500.

In another police request, Kadingo received approval to send one officer for recertification for impact munitions instructor at the Lehigh Township Police Department. The course is set for Sept. 10, at a cost of $350. Council also approved sending one officer for a new certification for impact munitions instructor held at Bethany Wesleyan Church in Cherryville. The course is also held Sept. 10 and costs $350.

Council approved Kadingo’s request to send a police officer to attend a Glock pistol armorers course at the Allentown Police Academy. The course is July 22, at a cost of $300.

Northampton County Parks and Recreation requested and received approval to use the borough’s portable band trailer June 9 for the annual Lehigh River Sojourn event. Covenant United Methodist Church of Moore Township received permission to use the borough’s portable band trailer Aug. 10 for a church picnic and worship service.

The fee for the trailer use is $450, including delivery and setup. Organizations must also provide a certificate of insurance naming the borough as additionally covered.

In her building, land and recreation committee report, Councilwoman Judy Haldeman noted the borough pool was expected to open for the season June 11. Season passes are available for purchase at the Northampton Recreation Center, 1 Lerchenmiller Drive.

Haldeman noted a park merry-go-round that was recently repaired was again vandalized. She said the merry-go-round was taken down with an unclear date when it will be repaired. In another parks issue, because of vandalization of park bathrooms, all park bathrooms will be locked by 3 p.m. daily. If a group rents a portion of the park, the bathrooms will remain open beyond 3 p.m.

Most council members, council President Julia Kutzler and Northampton Mayor Anthony Pristash spoke strongly about the needless, irresponsible vandalism at the borough parks. Kadingo noted the parks have cameras, which are expected to assist in solving the issue. He declined to comment on any ongoing investigations.

In Councilwoman Bonnie Almond’s fire and health committee report, she said the Northampton Borough Volunteer Fire Department received a Local Share Account county grant in the amount of $120,163 for fire training facility improvements.

During the hearing of persons present agenda item, several residents in the neighborhood near the Tri-Boro Sportsmen Club shooting range reported the ongoing issue of bullets flying through their backyards continues. It was explained there is an active investigation ongoing so officials cannot discuss the matter. One resident commented about a dozen 9 mm bullets have been found in the neighborhood yards and on patios.

The next Northampton Borough Council meeting is set for 7 p.m. June 19 in the borough’s municipal building, 1401 Laubach Ave. It is a hybrid meeting, with both in-person and virtual options. Visit northamptonboro.com to access the meeting’s agenda and to access the meeting virtually.